Both he and the Yankees would like that to be the only trip he makes to the minors this season.

More than that, for the Yankees to have any real hope of making the playoffs, they will need Teixeira to at least resemble the player he was before he tore a tendon in his right wrist preparing for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.

He has spent the last few months trying to get back to being that player, and soon enough he will find out if it worked.

“This offseason, I got to go back to working out and getting strong,” Teixeira told reporters, including the Times-Tribune. “That’s who I am. I’m a big, power-hitting first baseman and I have to be strong. Last year I wasn’t.”

Although he hit 22 homers, Teixeira finished with an OPS of .711, by far the lowest in a full season in his career.

Even in 2012, when he was plagued by a myriad of injuries and a mysterious bronchial condition, he had an OPS of .807.

“The beautiful thing was there was no rehab,” Teixeira said of this offseason. “Last offseason was all about rehab, and that’s not fun. … This offseason has been all about getting my strength back, and I feel good.”

General manager Brian Cashman, two weeks ago, said he is confident the 34-year-old will revert to form, now that Teixeira is two years removed from surgery.

“I believe you’re going to see the player he was before the injury,” Cashman said.

Teixeira added he has been in touch with Alex Rodriguez and is looking forward to Rodriguez’s arrival to spring training.

“It’ll be interesting, but I think we’re gonna have fun,” Teixeira said. “Alex is a great teammate. Ask anyone that’s played with Alex. … Hopefully he can be healthy and be a good performer for us.”